Guest columnist and Cleveland Clinic Fertility Expert Dr. Laura Detti shares what new techniques are available for fertility preservation.

Dr. Sabrina K. Sahni discusses the importance of midlife women's care and how she is helping women receive the care they need at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Link between progesterone and depressive symptoms is new, and may have therapeutic implicationsWomen are particularly vulnerable to mood disturbances, ranging from subsyndromal depressive symptoms to major depression, during the menopausal transition period. While epidemiologic studies consistently demonstrate this, our understanding of the biological mechanisms for these prevalent symptoms remains limited.An observational study by Joffe et al., published in the Journal of Clinical…

Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVFM) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Phexxi™ (lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate) vaginal gel for the prevention of pregnancy in females of reproductive potential for use as an on-demand method of contraception. Phexxi is the first non-hormonal, on-demand, vaginal pH regulator contraceptive designed to maintain vaginal pH within the normal range of 3.5 to 4.5 – an acidic environment that is…

Question: A 53-year-old postmenopausal woman presents as a new patient consult and for a second opinion. She underwent natural menopause at age 52 and had been on oral Hormone Therapy for severe hot flashes symptoms. She complains of decreased libido and has read about oral estrogen plus testosterone as an option to improve her sex drive and her continued hot flashes. One of her friends is also on estrogen/testosterone hormone therapy and shared noticeable improvement in libido. The patient…

Dr. Lynn Simpson and Dr. Holly L. Thacker discuss treatment options for women who suffer with heavy menstrual flow.

What is Vitamin K? Vitamin K is actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins that play a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism and regulating blood calcium levels. The body needs vitamin K to respond to injuries as it regulates normal blood clotting. Vitamin K comes in two forms - K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is found in green, leafy and cruciferous vegetables. Vitamin K2 is found in dairy products, pork, poultry and fermented foods. Vitamin K2 is important for bone health and heart health. Food…

Guest columnist Dr. Cara King, a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon (MIGS) at Cleveland Clinic and a mother of three, discusses the types of new, less invasive gynecologic surgeries available to women with benign gynecologic problems such as fibroids and endometriosis.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because it is produced in the skin by ultraviolet rays from the sun. Gray skies, weak winter sun, sunscreen use and an indoor lifestyle mean that most of us are lacking in this essential vitamin. Vitamin D From Sun Exposure Many people live in northern climates and are not at the right latitude to make vitamin D in their skin. (Did you know that vitamin D is actually not a vitamin, but a pro-sterol hormone?) Sun exposure without sunscreen for 10-15…

Even with modern medicine, “that time of the month” can be a pain for most women, especially those prone to heavy menstrual bleeding. But abnormal uterine bleeding shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your life. Gynecologist Cara King, DO, talks about why it happens and when it’s time to see a doctor. She also offers tips on managing heavy bleeding and explains how common and treatable the condition actually is.

Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri and Dr. Holly L. Thacker discuss the latest on osteoporosis prevention and treatment, and offer a friendly reminder to osteoporosis patients to continue their medication.

State of Ohio Covid-19 post stay at home options impact analysis summary utilizing a transmissibility modified SEIR modeling technique. Summary Overview This summary discusses the findings from an Ohio focused COVID-19 modified SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered) model that was created to correct perceived shortcomings in existing predictive models which tend to overestimate the number and rate of infections. This summary is intended for use as another data point in the ongoing…

Practical Path for an Onerous Condition Recurrent or chronic vulvovaginitis is frustrating to patients and a burden to the health care system. Here is a guide to addressing it. by Oluwatosin Goje, MD, MSCR Dr. Goje is Assistant Professor of Ob-Gyn and Reproductive Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and a Reproductive Infectious Diseases Specialist, Ob-Gyn and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic. Vulvovaginitis may be infectious or…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's column on the importance of the month of May for women. This month, we celebrate Osteoporosis Awareness Month and Mother's Day.

Quercetin is a plant pigment (flavonoid) with potent antioxidant properties and is found in many fruits, vegetables and grains. Quercetin also helps your body absorb zinc. Foods that contain quercetin OnionsApplesBroccoliBerriesGrapesCherriesTeaCapers

Zinc is a mineral that helps maintain a healthy immune system and it can help kill viruses that infect cells. The recommended daily amount of zinc is 8 milligrams for women (11 milligrams during pregnancy) and 11 milligrams for men. Zinc deficiency can lead to a poor immune system, resulting in catching more colds and viruses. Eating a diet rich in zinc boosts your immune system and also helps with thyroid function, wound healing and vision. The top 8 best foods high in zinc 1. Meat Choose…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for a blood purification system to treat patients 18 years of age or older with confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed or imminent respiratory failure. The authorized product works by reducing the amount of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, i.e., small active proteins in the bloodstream that control a cell’s immune response by filtering the blood…

Source: Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Kristi Tough DeSapri, MD, CCD, NCMP and Rachel Brook, MDCleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine April 2020, 87 (4) 205-210; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.8... ABSTRACT Fracture is a major cause of morbidity and death in postmenopausal women. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures bone mineral density, which helps in estimating fracture risk and in identifying those who may benefit from treatment. Although screening guidelines differ…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it is requesting manufacturers withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately. This is the latest step in an ongoing investigation of a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine medications (commonly known by the brand name Zantac). The agency has determined that the impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room…

Read Executive Director of Speaking of Women’s Health Dr. Holly L. Thacker's column describing her experiences, thoughts and advice on how to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.